Everything you need to know about Diet Pills

Haven't we all once had a thought of consuming diet pills? It may seem like the easiest way to lose weight, but are there any consequences? Well, according to manufacturers, diet pills use natural ingredients capable of prolonging life and containing alcohol used in medication or flavouring. One thing is for sure, never take diet pills as a substitute for cutting calories without the doctorís recommendation. There are simple but important steps to be followed when taking diet pills:

1. Diet pills causes a person to urinate more frequently due to its diuretic effect. This could lead to dehydration, thus, causing complications. As a precaution, it is best to drink eight glasses of water every day while on diet pills.
2. Never crush diet pills to mix in drinks or soups. Take it whole with a full glass of water.
3. Take only the recommended dosage. Taking more than required will not help you lose weight but increase the risk of side effects.
4. Heartbeat should be less than 86 beats per minute. Stop taking the pills if it reaches 90 or higher that is why regular checking of pulse is a must.
5. Always follow the instructions set by the dietician or doctor and not only rely on what's enclosed in the box. Also, diet pills will only work as expected if a diet plan is being followed.
6. After three months, stop taking the diet pills. Common diet phenylpropanolamine is safe to use only for up to sixteen weeks. Other studies show that it can cause health problems if taken in under one month.

As some of you might know, there are two kinds of diet pills: prescription-only diet pills and over-the-counter diet pills.

Prescription Diet Pills - are drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration agency which side effects are monitored, maybe advertised and prescribed under specific dosages. The most popular of these is Xenical, which is licensed for long-term use. However, this too has its own side effects; diarrhea, oily and unexpected fecal discharge are just some. Therefore, users are advised to take a low-fat diet plan.

While Over-the-Counter Diet Pills are categorized as food substitutes and are unregulated, beware that these diet pills are not Federal authorities tested and may cause serious side effects up to and including death.

Aside from a dietician, local pharmacists can also help in determining the pills that are safe and not for each person's case. Just be extra careful about the so-called "natural" or "organic" ingredients. Not everything that comes from a natural source is safe. One example is Ma Huang, which is a botanical source of ephedrine known as a stimulant and being studied for potential side effects.

Those who have or have a family history of prostate problems, thyroid disease, mental illness, high blood pressure, and heart problems should avoid taking diet supplements. The same applies to those who've had seizures or strokes. If someone is taking cold medicines, especially those with decongestants, diet pills should not be taken. Whether it be a prescription or an over-the-counter diet pill, the dangers are unvarying with other similar drugs that control the brain to reduce appetite and include chest pains, hair fall, fever, depression, and even impotence.

And as a general rule, don't ever try to take diet drugs if pregnancy is suspected. Persons that are allergic to sulphites and tartrazine should also avoid taking diet pills. And those who are under 18 years or over 60 years of age should consult their doctor first before taking any dietary drugs, primarily if they rely on over-the-counter stimulants used as a replacement for increase exercise.